The Greatest Mystery Revealed!


Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

 One of my favorite types of books to read are "mystery novels".  Each chapter you get nearer and nearer to solving the mystery, and this keeps the reader wanting to read more and fet to the end of the story. Usually the mystery is revealed in a way that one does not expect, increasing the enjoyment of the novel.  

 Paul uses the term "mystery" in chapter 3 of Ephesians to describe how God has made known the riches of His marvelous grace in Jesus Christ.  First it is important to under the word "mystery" in the original Greek language.   

 “In English a ‘mystery’ is something dark, obscure, secret, puzzling. What is ‘mysterious’ is inexplicable, even incomprehensible. The Greek word mysterion is different, however. Although still a ‘secret’, it is no longer closely guarded but open… More simply, mysterion is a truth hitherto hidden from human knowledge or understanding but now disclosed by the revelation of God.” (Stott)

 The mystery that God revealed to Paul on the road to Damascus is the mystery of God's revelation of Himself in the person of His Son, Jesus.  God appeared in various ways to His people in the Old Testament through the revelation of the Law and Prophets, but these all fell short of bringing a full knowledge of God.  In Jesus, the fullness of God was made known to all humankind, starting with the apostles and prophets.  The key that unlocks the mystery is the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit enlightens us to understand the truth about God through Jesus.  The Holy Spirit reveals the gospel, the Good News about what Jesus died for us, so we can be born again and made right with God.  Paul adds that the beauty of this mystery is that it was revealed to both Jews and Gentiles, fulfilling the promise to Abraham that he would be a blessing to all nations.  

 There are many people who think God is still a mystery and cannot be known.  The only way the world can know God is through the preaching of the Gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit.  This is the principal function and purpose of the church.  Through the church God makes known the mystery of His will and purpose in the Good News of the Word/Jesus becoming flesh and dwelling among us.  

 The greatest mystery of all time became known 2,000 years ago when Jesus stepped down from heaven to live among us, to die for us, and to rise from the dead and return to His Father in heaven.  If you consider yourself a Christian, this mystery has been revealed to you. Like Paul, you are called to make this mystery known to all people.  Once we know God our purpose here on earth is to make him known.    

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